Chapter 1
My husband switched my delivery from a top hospital to a tiny clinic, all because my mother-in-law got in his head.
As I lay there bleeding out from a difficult labor, teetering on the edge of life and death, everyone was running around in a panic.
I heard my husband's nervous voice, speaking to my parents, "Mom, Dad, my mom told me to ask, if Arianna doesn't make it, can we get the 8 thousand dollars back?"
My parents were so mad they fainted, and that was it for me. I died.
When I opened my eyes again, I was back in my junior year of college, sitting in class.
Xzavier Fernandez was practically bouncing with excitement as he told me, "Arianna, I showed my mom your picture, and she said she really likes you!"
I couldn't help but let out a cold, mocking laugh.
"Is that so? Well, I don't like you anymore."
Suddenly, a wave of weightlessness washed over me. I could feel myself floating above it all, suspended in midair.
Beneath me, my parents were sobbing uncontrollably, their grief tearing through the room.
My husband stood frozen, clueless and helpless.
And then my mother-in-law finally made her entrance, late as ever.
Her eyes landed on my lifeless body on the operating table, and for a split second, guilt flickered across her face.
"Wow, she really died?" Paisley said.
She poked Xzavier with her elbow.
"Did you ask them, son? She's gone, didn't even get to see a grandkid. So we should get our 8 thousand dollars back, right?"
Dad's hands trembled with fury.
"My daughter is gone, and all you ever talk about is the 8 thousand dollars! Do you even hear yourselves?" he shouted.
Paisley arched her eyebrow, looking smug.
"That's not our fault! Your family's a dead end anyway. Your daughter's gone, so be it. But we've got a son! If we don't get the 8 thousand dollars back, how am I supposed to find him another wife?"
Paisley got bolder as she spoke, her tone growing more self-righteous.
She stood there with her hands on her hips, looking completely justified.
She said, "Now my son's a widower. How unlucky! Your family should pay us 100 thousand dollars for the wedding losses!
"And this hospital! They better cough up some serious cash! Family, we need to team up and squeeze every penny out of them!"
Dad was so furious he could barely catch his breath.
Mom was practically collapsing from grief, sobbing over my body. When she heard Paisley, she staggered to her feet, pointing a trembling finger at her.
She said, "Paisley! This is all you! The hospital Arianna told me about wasn't this one! You must've switched it again! You killed my daughter. Bring her back to me!"
"Oh, please! That big hospital would've been way more expensive! Your daughter was just unlucky. She was doomed from the start; it wouldn't have made a difference where she gave birth! Don't even think about blaming me!" Paisley snapped.
"Don't you dare say that about my daughter!" Mom screamed.
Blinded by grief and rage, she completely lost it, lunging at Paisley and pounding on her with everything she had.
"Help! Son, save me!" Paisley wailed.
Xzavier, who'd been staring blankly at my body, suddenly snapped to attention and rushed to block for his mom.
Without thinking, he shoved Mom aside.
I watched in horror as Mom crashed to the floor.
I frantically reached out to catch her, but my hand just went straight through her. All I could do was float there, helpless and panicking.
Mom lay on the floor, pounding her fists against the ground and crying her heart out.
Dad clutched his chest, his face twisted in agony. He'd always been the cheerful one, but now his eyes were wild with rage.
He said, "Xzavier! You got down on your knees and begged me to let you marry my daughter! You promised you'd love her forever! We never made things hard for you. We even paid for your wedding house! And this is how you repay us?
"My daughter wasn't even dead yet, and you were already asking for the 8 thousand dollars back! All for a little money! Is this how you treat her? Is this your idea of love?"
Xzavier looked confused, at a complete loss for words.
He couldn't help but glance over at his mom.
"I... I don't know, I'm just doing what my mom told me," Xzavier stammered.
Dad was so furious he raised his hand to hit Xzavier, but Paisley grabbed Xzavier and then threw herself to the floor, putting on a dramatic show.
"Oh no! The family with no heirs is attacking people!" Paisley shrieked.
The whole place was in chaos.
Watching my devastated parents get pushed around like that, I was beside myself with anger and helplessness.
I was so anxious I could only pace around in a panic.
Rage and regret tore through me, but I was powerless to change anything.
If only I could live again...
Suddenly, a blinding flash of light exploded in front of my eyes.
When I opened my eyes again, I was back in my junior year of college, sitting in class.
The professor was calling roll. "Arianna Bauer, is Arianna Bauer here?"
"Arianna Bauer, is Arianna Bauer here?"
My roommate nudged me.
I snapped back to reality.
"Here!" I called out.
I was still spaced out even after class was over.
I actually travelled through time.
Xzavier was waiting outside the classroom, wearing that faded old shirt, with a gentle look in his eyes. He looked like he wouldn't hurt a fly.
The moment I stepped out, his face lit up and he offered me the fruit he'd carefully peeled himself.
Just seeing his face pissed me off.
Pure hatred flooded my chest.
I shot my hand out and knocked the fruit bag right out of his hand.
He looked stunned, but I didn't care. I swung my arm and gave him two hard slaps, one after the other.